So, I just got my D4 yesterday. Attached it to the 600VR today here in yellowstone and went out shooting. I was hiking back into the woods after a coyote when I heard some teeth popping, and a growl. A grizzly stepped out of the brush about 35 feet from me. I started backing up with the tripod and camera over my shoulder as the bear continued to walk towards me. I got to a pile of logs that I was afraid I would trip over if I tried to lift the tripod over it. I thought to myself, screw it, the gear is insured and it's not worth dying for. I left the gear and backed up to about 75 yds. when the bear stopped to sniff the tripod. I had my D700 and 70-300VR over my shoulder so I started to shoot. What I saw before me made me want to cry. The bear stood up, pushed the tripod over with one paw, then proceded to gnaw on it and jump up and down on it. I left the area, went back to my car, waited an hour, then hiked back into the woods to retrieve what was left.

I got there and the gear was covered in mud, and slobber. The hoods were off of the 600, the padding on the tripod was ripped to shreds. I couldn't see if there was any damage to the gear, because it was so muddy. When I got back to the apartment, I looked at the front element and there was a perfect nose print on it. I cleaned everything up, and apart from a tooth mark on the battery cover of the D4, a few scratches to the lens hoods, and the knobs chewed off of the wimberly, everything seemed ok. The tripod, was not so lucky. I am not sure if it was a result of chewing, or stomping, but the carbon fiber was splintered and broken. I took some test shots with the camera and lens and everything is still in perfect focus and calibration. I cannot belive after a hard fall, and a mauling by a 500lb grizly, that everything still works.

The good thing was that I was ok, got out of there safe, and even though I had bear spray, I think Imade the right decision to leave the gear instead of risking trying to haul it out with me and fall down crossing logs.

And now, for the pics!

Hey, whats this?

Oops, I pushed it over!

That's gonna hurt

Why is it making clicking noises? (camera was still on and shutter was depressed by a clod of dirt)

Bummer, you're going to have to advertise the camera and lens as an 8+ on the buy & sell and disclose the teeth marks!

Seriously though that was ballsy staying close enough to grab those shots with the 300!

brian_spRegistered: Jan 19, 2011Total Posts: 2625Country: Canada

fantastic images and captions, i think this bear heard all about the D4 and wanted to try one out for himself

capttcbRegistered: Oct 27, 2009Total Posts: 273Country: United States

Nikon needs to pay you for this story!

xaradaisyRegistered: May 29, 2010Total Posts: 488Country: United States

The D4 survived because it locked up and played dead.

kane513Registered: Feb 27, 2009Total Posts: 893Country: United States

Some great comments here. I am going to send the pics to nikon and hopefully they will send me a free jacket or something. Grizzlies are definately fans of canon more than nikon haha. Hopefully this is the first and last time this happens, I don't know if my gear or I could handle any more

At least you have photos to show the insurance company! How often does that happen? Glad you're OK and kept on shooting! This is a perfect example of why I shoot weddings; even the WORST MOB doesn't stack up to this!